The SANDF has called upon Reserve Force Members to answer the call to arms as the coronavirus continues to spread in South Africa.

In a statement on this development, the Department of Defence urged members to apply:

"The SANDF appreciates the willingness of the Reserve Force members to serve South Africa in her hour of need after the announcement on Saturday that the Department of Defence is calling up members from the Reserve Force to complement the already deployed SANDF in the fight against the Covid-19 virus in line with the National Disaster Management Act."

Civilian employers were encouraged to release staff called up for Reserve Force Service in a statement issued by the military

"These Reserve Force members will be deployed in various capacities in the implementation of the National Lockdown in order to execute a broad plan of urban and rural operations that includes the health sector."

This comes after Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced the latest figures on the pandemic:

"As at today, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases is 1 280. This is an increase of 93 from the previously reported cases."

The provincial breakdown is as follows:

Gauteng - 584

Western Cape - 310

KwaZulu-Natal - 167

Free State - 72

North West - 6

Mpumalanga - 11

Limpopo - 12

Eastern Cape - 12

Northern Cape - 6

Unallocated - 100

Briefly.co.za reported that a Ladysmith man had been confirmed as that second coronavirus fatality in South Africa.

Mkhize noted that the 74-year-old man had underlying medical issues in the statement on this development:

"It has been reported to us that the deceased patient had an underlying skin cancer condition (melanoma), which had already complicated. He presented with the following symptoms: respiratory distress, shortness of breath, cardiac failure, decreased saturation and his temperature was above 38 degrees."

The man's family included numerous health workers who have now been placed under quarantine:

"The deceased’s family, 14 health workers, including 3 specialist doctors, who were in contact with him are now in quarantine and being monitored. We express our condolences to the family and we thank the doctors and health workers who looked after the deceased patient until his time of passing."

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